Prosecutor General Nominee Withdraws

By Kim Se-jeong

Staff Reporter

Chun Sung-gwan, President Lee Myun-bak's nominee for prosecutor general, withdrew his nomination for the top post, Tuesday.

According to MBC and other news reports, Chun said, ``I take full responsibility for the suspicions raised during National Assembly hearings.''

Cheong Wa Dae accepted Chun's withdrawal _ Yonhap News Agency quoted an unnamed presidential office official as saying that President Lee noted that those aspiring to high public office should set an example.

Chun stepped down after members of the opposition parties raised issues of morality and ethics over his dubious wealth management.

During a hearing Tuesday, they urged Chun to withdraw his nomination.

Rep. Lee Kang-rae, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP), said, ``Chun is a typical unethical prosecutor who has a billionaire sponsor enabling his family to lead a luxurious life. We will look into the case carefully to see if he should be charged with comprehensive bribery.''

Chun reportedly borrowed 1.55 billion won from a businessman known as Park without confirmation documents regarding the deal when he purchased a luxury house in southern Seoul last April.

The former nominee and his wife were also accused of taking a golf trip with Park and his wife, and going on a high-end shopping spree. Chun denied these allegations.

A hundred million won was transferred to his bank account from an unknown sender in 2007, which also led to questions about his qualifications as the top prosecutor.

Lee Hoi-chang, chairman of the minor opposition Liberty Forward Party also said, ``The nominee is disappointing, and it would be difficult for Chun to gain public trust."

Some observers noted that GNP members had also started to question his qualifications for the position.

Cheong Wa Dae will start to look for another nominee from a pool of incumbent officials at the Supreme Prosecutor's Office.